Mary Beth Krause, 61, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at her home.
Mary Beth was born July 25, 1964, in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin to Dr. Arnold and June Krause.
Being with family was the highlight of Mary Beth's life- traveling, camping, swimming, or sailing. Family fun brought her joy, especially sitting around the table at mealtime with everyone.
Mary Beth attended the Marshall County Exceptional Center for fifty-eight years; she was four years old when she started on a trial basis. Mary loved all of her classmates and staff. She loved to tease and play pranks on everyone. Mary Beth especially loved Mr. Clint Smith, he was like a brother to her.
She was well traveled and saw as much of the world as she could. Mary Beth saw every state east of the Mississippi River and most of them to the west of the Mississippi, even taking a cruise to explore Alaska. She adventured through many states, countries, and landmarks, many bordering the Gulf of Mexico- including Columbia and the Panama Canal. She was always excited to board another cruise ship- taking four separate trips to cruise the various Caribbean Islands. And like all well-dressed ladies, Mary was never caught without her purse, no matter where she ventured.
Mary Beth is survived by her parents, Dr. Arnold Krause and June Plowman Krause of Benton; brother, Dr. Kevin Krause (Debra) of Little Rock, Arkansas; sisters, Karen (David) Crocker of Waukeshaw, Wisconsin, and Kathryn (Michael) Harris of Ozark, Illinois; She called her nieces and nephews her babies and their children her babies' baby, they include nieces- Jennifer, Nicole, and Sarah; nephews- Kelvin II, Jonathan, Danny, and Kyle; great niece and nephew, Avery and Rory; and her extended family Kelvin and Susan Kunath.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Kelly Krause and her sister-in-law, Melodie Krause.
Memorial contributions may take the form of donations made in memory of Mary Beth to the Marshall County Exceptional Center, P.O. Box 423 Benton, KY 42025.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Collier Funeral Home. The burial will be private, for family only, at Kentucky Veteran's Cemetery West.
The visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Friday, July 23, 2026, at Collier Funeral Home.